Pakistan start as favourites against India: Sunil Gavaskar

"After the loss to New Zealand, India will be under far more pressure against Pakistan. I feel Pakistan start as favourites for the game on Saturday,” Gavaskar told NDTV in an interview.

India were bundled out for 79 against New Zealand in their opening game in Nagpur, as the batsmen struggled against the Kiwi spinners on a slow track. They will now face a Pakistani team who have one of the best bowling attacks in the tournament. However, Gavaskar felt that the Indian bowling attack will also pose a lot of threat for the Pakistani batsmen.

"It is still pretty much Indian batting versus Pakistan bowling. However, with the way Indian bowlers have performed recently, they also won't be easy to tackle either.

“Ashwin (Ravichandran) is bowling well and so is Nehra (Ashish), ever since he has made a comeback. Then you have Jasprit Bumrah. So it will be a test for Pakistani batsman.

"Having said that, it only takes an over and half to turn the game around in T20," said the former India captain,” Gavaskar added.

Mohammad Amir, who tormented the Indian top-order with an inspiring spell in the Asia Cup, will be India's biggest threat, and Gavaskar has hoped that the likes of Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane have learned from their mistake.

"Hopefully Rohit (Sharma) and others know that unlike many other left arm pacers, Amir has the ability to swing the ball back. Rohit and Rahane were found wanting against him in Asia Cup. So they have to careful for the first couple of overs and once you are set, there is always an opportunity to score," he explained.